November in the Thompson Valley is the true shift into dormancy. Nights are cold, soils begin to freeze, and most outdoor work becomes about protecting what you’ve built through the growing season.
Storage Vegetables & Winter Frames
- Check stored vegetables — Inspect potatoes, squash, apples, and other stored produce. Remove anything soft, moldy, or damaged to prevent spoilage spreading.
- Cold frames — Place a cold frame over winter greens to keep them productive through early winter.
Beds, Berries & Soil Care
- Rhubarb and asparagus — Cover beds with composted manure and straw for winter protection.
- Berry mulch — Add a protective layer around berry bushes to insulate roots.
- Soil enrichment (no tilling) — By November, Kamloops soil is often freezing, so tilling isn’t ideal. Instead, many gardeners dig plant stalks, leaves, and compost directly into rows to break down over winter. This improves soil structure and returns nutrients without disturbing frozen ground.
Fruit Trees & Yard Cleanup
- Remove fallen fruit — Clear apples, pears, and other fruit to discourage rodents, bears, and other wildlife.
- Prune dead or diseased branches — Light pruning now helps reduce overwintering disease.
- Fruit tree bases — Remove mulch and tall weeds from around trunks to reduce hiding spots for mice.
Evergreens & Winter Protection
- Protect tender evergreens — Shield from harsh winds using burlap or windbreaks.
- Tie up loose branches — Secure floppy evergreen shrub branches to prevent ice and snow breakage.
Garden Cleanup & Tool Care
-
- Remove old plants — Clear dead annuals and spent vegetable plants to reduce pests and disease.
- Service mowers — Clean equipment and sharpen blades before storing for winter.
- Hand tools — Clean, oil, and sharpen pruners, shovels, and trowels so they’re ready for spring.
- Check out this article for more tips – End of Season Tool Care
Winter Safety & Indoor Growing
- Firewood storage — Keep firewood away from the house to reduce pest issues.
- Indoor herbs — Try seeding herbs like chives, sage, and parsley indoors. Place pots near a sunny window for fresh winter flavour.
November is a quieter month in the Kamloops garden, but these small tasks help protect your plants and set the stage for healthier growth next spring. It’s also a great time to reflect on what worked well this year and what you might try differently next season.
If you’ve discovered a winter‑hardy trick or a clever way to simplify fall cleanup, the club would love to hear it—your experience helps strengthen our gardening community.
